It can be easy to think that acne has taken over your world, but you can still live a confident, happy life. If you are feeling insecure about your skin, you should remind yourself of everything good about you. If others give you a hard time, stand up for yourself. You can still treat your acne using effective methods, but don't let your acne rule your life.

Steps

Method1

Learning to Love Yourself

1

Focus on your beauty. Everyone has minor imperfections, but they also all have good features too. Instead of focusing on your acne or scars, think about what makes you beautiful. Write a list of what you find beautiful about yourself. Some ideas include:

"I have pretty eyes."

"I have a beautiful smile."

"I have nice hair."

"I am very strong."

2

Write down qualities you like about yourself. Your self-worth should not be defined by your appearance. Remember what makes you an unique, interesting individual. Acne cannot take these qualities away from you. Some things to consider include:

What are your talents? What are you good at? Do you have a hobby, such as music or sports? Are you good at dancing or art?

What are positive qualities about your personality? Do you help others? Do other people think you’re funny?

Do you have loving friends and family? Do you have a beloved pet who adores you?

3

Compliment yourself in the mirror. Positivity begins with you. Each morning, as you get ready, say something positive about yourself in the mirror. This could be about your appearance or your personality. Smile as you say it to increase your confidence.

4

Leave positive notes around the house. When you are feeling down, little reminders can help pick you up. Write a series of positive notes that you can leave around the house. Stick a post-it to your bathroom mirror, and tuck a small note in your wallet. When you are upset about your acne, read these notes to remind yourself of how wonderful you are.[1] Some notes you can leave include:

“You are beautiful/handsome no matter what.”

“You are beautiful inside and out.”

"Your looks do not define you. You are awesome, and no one can take that away from you."

5

Talk to a friend. Do not bottle up your feelings inside. While your acne might make you feel as though you are alone, others will understand what you are going through. Your family and friends can offer you support and advice. Let them know when you are feeling sad about your acne. Express your frustration, and let them know that it makes you feel insecure.[2]

If someone tells you to get over it or that everyone gets acne, tell them, “I know that’s true, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling bad about it.” Your feelings are valid.

If you are starting to feel depressed, withdrawn, or anxious because of your acne, you may need to see a therapist or psychologist.[3]

6

Find a support group. There are several online groups where you can discuss your struggles with acne. Other people with similar types of acne can help you find solutions while providing you valuable moral support. To find a group, you can go to a skin care forum, Facebook, or a support group website.

Method2

Dealing with Negativity

1

Ignore taunting. If you are being bullied because of your acne, know that it is not your fault. Instead of engaging with the bully, shrug off their insults. You can respond in a calm but firm tone. If they realize they cannot upset you, they may stop bullying.

You can tell the bully to stop. In a calm voice, say something like, “Stop doing that. Calling me names is not cool, and I’m not going to tolerate it.”

You can also use humor or sarcasm to deflect taunts.[4] For example, if some says you have a pimple on your cheek, say sarcastically, “Oh really? I didn’t notice.”

You can brush off the bullying with a statement like, “So what? Acne doesn’t get in the way of me living my life.”

If all else fails, walk away. Turn your back to the bully, and do not respond.[5]

2

Reassert your beauty. Your acne does not make you any less beautiful. If a concerned family member or friend tries to lecture you about your acne, stand up for yourself. Let them know that you still think you are beautiful.

You can say, “So what if I have acne? I still think I look great.”

You can also draw attention to your talents and good qualities. You can say “I don’t need to have clear skin to be smart” or “acne doesn’t stop me from winning at basketball.”

3

Deflect unsolicited advice. You may find that some people have dozens of opinions on how you should be treating your acne. Remember that they mean well. Thank them politely but let them know that you are handling the situation.[6]

You can say, “Thanks for the concern, but I am working with my dermatologist to treat the acne. My acne is quite stubborn, and I’m doing everything I can.”

4

Remind yourself that others do not notice your flaws. Often, acne sufferers imagine that other people are focusing on their physical imperfections. In reality, very few people are paying attention to your acne. People will notice your personality over your pimples. Tell yourself this every time you begin to feel self-doubt.

5

Avoid withdrawing. It can be easy to withdraw from social situations when you have acne. You may feel as though everyone notices your acne or that they are judging you for it. Withdrawing will not help your acne, nor will it make you feel better about your appearance. No matter what, make an effort to socialize. Doing so will make you feel better in the long run.[7][8]

When speaking to someone, you might feel as though you have to look away, so that they do not see your face. Instead, look them straight in the eye. This will help you build confidence.[9]

Method3

Minimizing Your Acne

1

Visit a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will inspect your unique skin type and diagnose what type of acne you have. They may recommend a certain face wash or prescribe you a medication. It takes some people many tries before they find a treatment that works for them. Do not become discouraged if your acne does not go away immediately. Adhering to your treatment will not only improve your acne but it can help improve your overall quality of life.[10]

2

Treat your acne. Different types of acne respond to different treatments, but there are certain practices that will keep your skin clean while allowing your acne to heal. Wash your face twice a day, and always remove any makeup before bed. Use a moisturizer that does not contain oil. When shopping for facial products, search for certain ingredients that can help acne.

Salicylic acid: Also known as willow bark extract, this is found in many cleansers and masks.[11]

Benzoyl peroxide: Found in many soaps, lotions, and creams, this is a popular anti-acne ingredient.[12]

Tea tree oil: A natural but effective option, tea tree oil can be found in cleansers or lotions.[13] It can also be used as a spot treatment.

3

Use concealer. You do not need to hide your skin under a thick layer of makeup. A little concealer is all you need to cover up your acne. Find a concealer that blends in perfectly with your skin tone. To do this, test the concealer on the underside of your arm, and pat it until it disappears. You should not be able to see the concealer on your skin. Wash your hands before applying to your face. With your ring finger, dot the concealer over the blemish until the concealer blends into your skin.

Concealers that come in a pot or stick form may grip to your skin better and stay on for longer.[14]

Look for cosmetics that have “noncomedogenic” on their label. This means that they will not cause more breakouts.[15]

While makeup is usually seen as something only for women, men may also find it to be a good option for their acne. If concealer is applied correctly, it will be unnoticeable.

4

Change your diet. While evidence is mixed on the relationship between acne and diet, some people find that eating healthier improves their acne. Eating less sugar may help reduce breakouts.[16] Drinking plenty of water will also help improve the quality of your skin.[17] A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains may also help you feel more confident about yourself overall.

5

Avoid touching your face. Dirt and oils on your hands can block your pores on your face. Do not touch your face. If you must, you should wash your hands with warm water and soap before. This may reduce the number of breakouts that you have.

Picking may help diminish the appearance of zits at first, but it can cause inflammation and permanent scarring.[18] Instead of picking at your zits, use a spot treatment, such as tea tree oil.